Video/Gallery: Hollywood star is top attraction at spectacular Stowmarket Carnival

15:12 20 July 2014

Richard Cornwell
richard.cornwell@archant.co.uk

The Stowmarket carnival procession through the town.

Archant

Crowds were thrilled by a spectacular procession with a special guest from Hollywood as the people of Stowmarket packed the streets for their annual carnival.

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Thousands lined the route through the town to see the colourful cavalcade of floats and bands – and especially to greet Augustus the horse that played the younger Joey in War Horse, the box office hit film.

Carnival chairman Justine Margetson said it had been an “absolutely brilliant” day.

More than 30 groups were involved with the parade, which set off from Combs Ford to go through the town centre and then to the Recreation Ground, with everyone having worked hard to create an array of decorated floats, alongside a marching band, and fancy dress characters.

The theme this year for the parade was Children’s Books and floats included those celebrating Enid Blyton’s Noddy and Toytown, and the books of Dr Seuss.

Also on the Saturday there were arena acts, with the programme including displays by groups including the Mid Suffolk Gymnastics Club and the Sara-Anne School of Dance, plus live music in the evening.

The two-day family event continued yesterday at the Recreation Ground with a hugely successful pet show – with 29 animals compared with ten last year – and a dog show of more than 100 entries. There was also a car show with pre-war, post-war and modern classes, and a display by the Morris Minor Owners Club.

Carnival treasurer Wendy Brame said: “The weekend went really well and we are so grateful for such good weather and for the brilliant support we have had from the whole community, the people who came out to see the parade and those who came to the arena events and the car, pet and dog shows.

“The parade was brilliant – we had more than ten lorries, as well as walking groups and Augustus walked in the procession, too.”

Afterwards Augustus had taken part in a meet and greet session with people very keen to see him and have their photos taken with him.

Children also took part in a competition to draw him, with prizes of craft materials for the winning entries.